Brussels, 11/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - "To succeed in achieving the Lisbon objectives it is imperative that the agreed measures and structural reforms be decided and implemented, at European and national level, as a matter of urgency. The credibility of the whole process is now at stake, and so the Barcelona summit must therefore be a real step forward. European business will continue to contribute to the development of a dynamic and competitive EU, creating jobs and prosperity - today in an EU of 15 Member States, tomorrow of more". Such is the clear message addressed in an open letter from the presidents of all the EU industrial federations, under the umbrella of UNICE, to the EU Council President, José Maria Aznar. The letter, signed by all the presidents (the first time ever in the history of UNICE) demonstrates the sense of urgency felt by EU company decision-makers with regard to market liberalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship, essential infrastructure, financial services, the internal market, flexible labour markets and skills availability, and sustainable development. These six points are the "key messages" that form the basis of a broader contribution to the Barcelona Summit.
With regard to enlargement, UNICE stresses in its letter that "the good functioning of the Internal Market is of paramount importance, and the accession decisions to be taken in December 2002 should be based on each candidate country's own merits and fulfilment of the accession criteria". UNICE also issues a warning regarding the review by the Spring Summits from March 2002 on the direction of the EU sustainable development strategy. It states: "this agenda should not be allowed to dilute the spirit of Lisbon, bearing in mind the crucial importance of a competitive and innovative economy for sustainable development".
Commenting on the initiative, UNICE President Georges Jacobs declared: "We are worried that if no concrete commitments are made in Barcelona in a few weeks' time, the whole process will be put on hold. We have already been deeply disappointed to see one of the first, concrete steps being missed: adoption of a Community patent. We really expect more political will to overcome national interests for the benefit of all. Because when business is able to prosper, Member States and EU citizens will be better off as a result, as more wealth is created".